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The weather could not have been better for the second running of the Black Squirrel Trail Half Marathon. The field of 290 runners were treated to cool foggy conditions in the valley early in the morning, before making their way up the hill to break through the clouds into glorious sunshine at 7,000 feet on the high point of the course, with expansive views to Longs peak in the west and a gloriously fluffy cloud base to the east.

Two new records were set at the pointy end of the field, with Broomfield’s Korey Skattum (1:31:46) leading the charge in the men’s race and Boulder’s Melissa Dock (1:45:06) bettering her mark from the inaugural running by almost five minutes.

Korey Skattum. Photo: Erin Bibeau.

Melissa Dock. Photo: Erin Bibeau.

From the high point on the course, runners dropped into the Arthurs Aid Station on the technical and switchbacked Howard Trail, guided along the way by our oversized black squirrel course marshall.

Katie – Black Squirrel – Robinson. Photo: Erin Bibeau.

By the time the meat of the field had made it into the finish, the clouds had parted allowing runners to kick back and enjoy the post-race BBQ and festivities in pure Colorado bluebird comfort.

At the front of the men’s race, Kory Skattum was followed by Aaron Anderson (1:33:09) and Rob Raguet-Schofield (1:40:30), both local to Fort Collins. Second and third in the women’s race were Sarah Hansen (1:52:36) and Molly Soasey (1:55:39), both from Fort Collins. The masters divisions were won by Elijah Flenner (1:42:20) and Monica Brackney (1:56:14), another repeat winner, while the open divisions (39 & under) were won by Chirs Kiel (1:41:05) and Jennifer Malmberg (2:00:14). In the grandmasters race, we had wins for Tim Flynn (1:59:07) and Theresa Rudel (2:07:01)

As race directors, Pete and I are always thankful for the wonderful trail running community we have here in Fort Collins. Pulling together a volunteer crew is an essential part of putting on a successful race and as always our volunteers were the biggest source of post-race compliments that we received. So, once again, a huge thank you to all our wonderful volunteers. We couldn’t do it without you.

All information relevant to the event is available online here but here are a few final details and reminders.

Weather: Last year it was HOT, but this year things are looking a little more favorable. Currently, we’re looking at an overnight low of 50 and a race-day high of 70 with a good chance of rain in the afternoon, which means race morning should be just about perfect.

Nonetheless, please make sure you have adequate carrying capacity for your hydration needs between aid stations. We ask that all runners carry a water bottle or hydration pack. The three aid stations will be stocked with water, Tailwind sports drink, Succeed S-Caps, snacks, and fruit (Arthurs only).

Packet and bib pickup will be available on Friday afternoon from 4pm to 7pm at Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists located at: 115 E Harmony Rd., Ste. 160, Fort Collins, CO 80525 (southeast corner of College and Harmony).

Packet pickup will also be available on race morning from 5:30am to 6:45am.
Late registration (cash & check only) will be available on Friday at packet pick up and on race morning.

The race will start promptly at 7:00am. The pre-race briefing will be at 6:45am. Please give yourselves an extra 10-15min to get parked and over to the start. Late arrivals may need to walk up to a mile to the start. If you arrive late, you will start late and finish results will be based on the starting gun time.

Parking at the Soldier Canyon start/finish area (limited to 50-60 cars) is reserved for carpools of two or more racers. All other cars will be directed to park on the Lodgepole loop road or Timber trailhead lot. If you can, please arrange a carpool with friends. Please feel free to post to the Ft Collins Trail Runners list to find people to carpool with.

Parking passes will be handed out at the park entrance when you arrive.

Bibs must be visible from the front. Do not remove your pull tag.

As a courtesy to other runners on the trail (and per the terms of our insurance policy), we ask that you not wear headphones.

Dogs are welcome on leash with family and friends at the start/finish area, but we ask that you not run with your dog on trail during the race.

Please pocket any trash and dispose of it at aid stations or at the start/finish.

Trails are open to the public. Watch for bikers and yield to horses.

We will have a free 1km kids race/run beginning at 10:30 from the start/finish area.

We have a great BBQ planned with burgers, veggie burgers, a Whole Foods quinoa salad, Great Harvest cookies and cinnamon buns, chips, fruit, soda, and a couple of kegs from Boulder Beer that meets 3.2% State Park regulations. First beer is free with the BBQ, for additional beers we ask that you make a donation ($3 suggested) to Animal House, one of the race beneficiaries. Additional meals can also be purchased at the BBQ for family and friends for a $10 donation to Animal House. Please bring id if you want a post-race beer.

Altra Zero Drop will be demoing shoes for runners to try out after the race, and we’ll be giving away a pair to our top male and female finishers.

In addition to finishers awards and T-shirts, we will also be giving out unique overall and age group awards to the top three (male and female) in the following categories: overall, under 40, masters (40 – 49), and grandmasters (50+). We also have Runners Roost gift cards for all award winners.

We’ll have some other gear and goodies to raffle off during and after the awards.

Massage and PT work will be available after the race courtesy of Kristel Liddle LMT (massage) and Colorado Physical Therapy Specialists.

We are very pleased to welcome back Colorado Physical Therapy Specialistsas the presenting sponsor of the second running of the Black Squirrel Half Marathon and the seventh running of the Blue Sky Marathon. In addition to supporting Gnar Runner events for the last seven years, Colpts have also been fixing runners here in the Fort Collins community since 2007. Partners Terry Gebhardt and Tim Flynn are both accomplished trail and ultrarunners and know just how important pain-free bipedal movement is for those who love to run.

We are also fortunate to be receiving support from the Fort Collins branch of Cornerstone Home Lending. Broker Jim Hunter and his team have been supporting the local running scene for years, in addition to getting people into mortgages they understand and can afford, so we’re excited to be teaming up with the Hunter Team again.

Our footwear sponsor for both the Black Squirrel and Blue Sky Marathon is Altra Zero Dropout of Salt Lake City, UT. The brand is currently taking the running world by storm with their innovative foot-shaped shoe designs. Winners of both races will be receiving a free pair of Altras and we’ll have demos available to try out on race day.

Local trail and ultrarunners Cat Speights and Justin Liddle have once again stepped up to show their support for the Fort Collins trail running community with sponsorship of both the half and full marathons.

Justin Liddle (DMD), an accredited and trusted Fort Collins prosthodontist, specializes in a wide variety of complex dental treatments. Dr Catherine Speights is the go-to small animal vet in the running community (and beyond). Her practice,Countryside Animal Hospital, specializes in personalized care of dogs and cats in a home-like setting. Look for both Cat and Justin near the front of their respective fields.

New this year, we’ve partnered with the Fort Collins Running Club, and couldn’t be more excited about it. The club has been promoting fitness and running in the local community since 1971. Consider taking out an FCRC membership and enjoy seven free Tortoise & Hare races from Oct to April, a free subscription to Colorado Runner Magazine, local running store discounts, and discounts to both the Horsetooth Half Marathon ($20 off your registration, which is the same cost as an annual membership) and the FireKracker 5k.

Product support for this year’s half and marathon races will be coming from a host of other great local companies:

A huge and sincere congratulations to everyone who came out to toe the line last weekend, from the ultra veterans to the trail racing first-timers who chose to make Quad Rock their first 25 or 50 mile trail race.

We had perhaps the best weather yet for the third running of the Quad Rock Trail Races, and while it still wasn’t perfect, with a couple of afternoon rain showers, we’re getting closer every year. Next year we’re shooting for all day bluebird skies.

Becky on her way to setting a new course record: First lady under nine hours.

For this rendition of the Quad Rock Trail races, we had some fast finishers, a course record and a whole bunch of individual PRs.

At the front of the field, we had some exciting racing action. In the women’s 50-mile race, Becky Wheeler (Casper, WY) came away with the win after running a consistently strong pace all morning long. She picked off Darcy Africa with less than 10 miles to go, finishing under nine hours by just two seconds and setting a stout new course record in the process. We’re awarding her the ‘run of the day.’ Darcy held on for second, coming in 11 minutes later (also under the former CR), with Emily Judd rounding out the top three in 9:41.

Darcy Africa

Defending champion Kerry Bruxvoort ended up dropping down to the 25-mile distance and was quick enough over one lap to claim the 25-mile victory. Local favorite, Sarah Hansen (4:17) was the first registered 25 miler across the finish line, which was good for second overall. Becca Hall from Evergreen, CO rounded out the top three, finishing 15 minutes after Sarah.

Sarah Hansen

The men’s 50-mile field featured a mix of experience and youthful exuberance, with the older, wiser heads prevailing on this day. Littleton’s Jim Rebenack looked smooth all morning, and showed his experience over course and distance with a comfortable win (7:52) in his third Quad Rock run. Jared Hazen was close all morning, but dropped from the race at mile 40. Both Jim and Jared beat the 25-mile racers to the turnaround. Montana’s Jesse Langner paced a great race to finish second, closely followed by Bryan Williams who moved through the field to finish in an impressive third, improving significantly on his ninth-place finish from last year. Ryan Burch’s now three year-old course record continues to stand the test of time.

Jim Rebenack Leads Jared Hazen

In the 25-mile race, Jared Hazen (3:39) was credited with the win after dropping down from the 50 mile race, and he was followed by Boulder’s Will Porter in second, and local Jonathan Garcia in third.

There were 132 finishers in the 50-mile race, with approximately a third of the field calling it a day after 25 miles, bumping finisher numbers in that race up to 226 for 358 total finishers.

Jack Pilla representing Pearl Izumi

Of course, we couldn’t put on the kind of race we aspire to put on without the magnificent help of our sponsors and volunteers. We consider ourselves incredibly fortunate to live a town where people don’t need to be asked to volunteer because hanging outside at an aid station, marking or tearing down a course, or helping with any other number of necessary jobs is their idea of fun. To our volunteers, a MASSIVE thank you; you were (and continue to be) the biggest source of compliments we get from Quad Rock runners.

Roost was in the house: Oza Klanjsek

And of course a big thank you to our very generous sponsors. Both Pearl Izumi and Cornerstone Home Lending (Hunter Team) have supported the race from the outset and we couldn’t do it without them, and we ask that you consider supporting them if you’re in the market for high-quality race apparel and shoes, or a home mortgage.

For more images from the day, please visit Erin Bibeau Photography. Digital images are available for download starting at 99 cents and print options are available too.

Goding & Liddle

And a final note: if you left anything behind at the race, there is a good chance it is hanging out at Runners Roost in the lost and found pile.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2015 at the same place and approximately the same time. Or even better, we’d love to see you later in the summer at one of our shorter events. On September 6 we will be hosting the second running of the Black Squirrel Half Marathon in Lory State Park, followed October 5 by the seventh running of the Blue Sky Marathon, Fort Collins original and only Trail Marathon.

With under a week to go until the third running of the Quad Rock 25/50, some final thoughts and instructions, including details of a slight course reroute:

Packet pick up will be at Runners Roost on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Roost is located at 2720 Council Tree Ave #112, just west of I-25 off the Harmony Rd exit. If you can, we ask that you come by Friday to pick up your race gear to help smooth race day parking and sign in. Pearl Izumi will be at packet pick up for anyone interested in demo’ing their new E:Motion shoe line.

Bib numbers will be distributed race morning beginning at 4:00 a.m until 5:20 a.m. Please keep bib numbers visible during the race, and the pull tag at the bottom intact. We will be pulling 50 miler bib tags at the 25 mile turn and at the finish. Those of you who can’t pick up packets Friday afternoon, goodie bags including VFuel gel samples and race T-shirts will be distributed with your bibs in the morning.

The race will begin at 5:30 a.m. sharp, so we recommend you give yourself plenty of time to park (up to a half mile away from check-in), get your bib, and do whatever it is you do to get ready to run 25/50 miles.

Parking passes will be distributed by parking volunteers at the entrance to the park in the morning. Lory Park will be open for parking at 4am. Carpools of two or more will be given priority parking close to the start at the Soldier Canyon trailhead. All others will be directed to the Timber trailhead parking area and down the main park road to loop left back towards the start on the Lodgepole Loop. Parking on Lodgepole will be on the right (east) side of the road. The earlier you get there, the closer to the start you’ll be parked. Directions and parking details here.

Horsetooth drop bags must be dropped off by 5:15 a.m. There will be a short pre-race briefing five minutes before the start. Bib numbers will be assigned on the Ultrasignup entrant list by Thursday if you want to pre-label your drop bag with name and race number. Horsetooth drop bags will be returned to the start/finish area by 5:00 pm. It is a 20 minute drive from Lory to Horsetooth if you need to pick up your drop bag before then.

Aid station fare is detailed here. VFuel gel will be served from bulk containers, so we recommend that you carry a 5oz flask (or similar) if you want to use aid station gels. We will also have dixie cups at the aid stations for gel ‘shooters’.

Pateros Creek Brewery will be providing a special English Mild brew, ‘The 51st Mile,’ for the post-race BBQ. Please remember to bring an i.d. if you wish to partake. Runners will receive a meal ticket in their race packets. For those bringing family/friends who didn’t order extra meals when registering, food and a brew will be available for $10 (cash). First beer is free for everyone, we then ask that you make a cash donation for additional beers. All proceeds will be donated to the Animal House Rescue along with race sponsorship funds from Countryside Animal Hospital. The race is also benefiting Larimer County Search and Rescue and the Friends of Lory.

There is a bit of rain in the forecast for this week, and the current forecast for Saturday shows a high of 70. Conditions should be great for running.

No wildfires yet this year, but we will have a very minor re-route of the course, using the new Nomad connector up to Sawmill. In addition, we are keeping the opening two miles on the Lory service drive – as we did last year – to allow runners to space out before hitting the East Valley trail at the Arthurs Rock trailhead. 50 mile finishers will return to the finish via the East Valley Trail. This year’s 1st loop is slightly shorter than last year (~25 miles) and the 2nd loop brings the course right in line with the inaugural running (~50.2 miles).

There will be an unmanned water drop at the intersection of Westridge and Timber on the 7 mile stretch between Arthurs aid and the Start/Finish.

Course markings will be pink ribbons, hung every 1/4 mile, with a run of three ribbons leading up to and beyond each turn. Flour markings or red Runners Roost pin flags will supplement at key intersections.

Activities for family and friends:

Trails are open to everyone to enjoy all day; however, crewing outside of designated areas is not allowed. There is a BMX bike park right by the start/finish area, so feel free to bring a bike for the kids (or yourself). Trails are also open to bikes. The reservoir is just a short walk down from the start/finish area and there is a small cove ideal for paddling or submerging battered legs. There will be a one mile kids race (half (closed) road, half trail) beginning at 1:30. Lory State Park’s naturalist will also be on hand from 11:00 with kids’ games and education at the Lory booth.

Early 25-mile finishers who want to shower before the post race can use the facilities at Horsetooth South Bay, located at the southern end of Horsetooth Reservoir off 38e by the Stout sign and shop. Showers are coin operated and cost $2. It is an approximately 15 minute drive to get there. Alternatively, a cold dunk in the reservoir is also available.

And, finally, if you have questions that can’t be answered here or on the race website, feel free to drop us a line and we’ll do our best to get back to you.

On behalf of Pete, myself (Nick) and our outstanding battalion of volunteers, we look forward to seeing you all on Saturday.

As we round the corner and start looking forward to spring, it’s time to start putting in some longer miles in preparation for the summer racing season. To help get those long training runs banked, we’ll be organizing a few spring outings through March and April culminating with a loop of the Quad Rock course on April 5.

As we did last year, we’ll be hosting an informal Quad Rock Training Run from the race start/finish area at Soldier Canyon in Lory State Park. There will be multiple mileage options, from the full 25 mile loop to shorter, abbreviated versions of the course. We’ll look to get started at 8:30 on Saturday April 5. We’ll be providing burgers and veggie burgers for a post-run BBQ. Park regulations limit beers to 3.2, if you want to bring something to drink. If you want to chip in for the cost of food & site rental, we’ll have a donation jar, proceeds from which will go to race beneficiaries: Animal House Rescue, LCSAR, and Friends of Lory State Park. As an added bonus, Pearl Izumi will be at the BBQ to demo their super-popular E:Motion shoe line.

Details

Date: April 5th.Start: 8:30am at the Soldier Canyon Trailhead at Lory State Park.BBQ Potluck: 1:00pm – 4:00pm (please bring something to share or a few dollars to contribute for picnic area rental, BBQ supplies, food and other misc.) Only 3.2% beer is allowed in the park.Fees: No registration is required. Runners are responsible for their own park entrance fee ($7 day use per car if you don’t already have an annual state park pass. Carpooling strongly recommended.)

Other Runs

Kicking things off on March 23, there will be a run of between 21 and 36 miles around Horsetooth Reservoir. Dubbed March Mileage Madness, the run starts from Alex May’s house on the west side of Fort Collins. The shortest route – via the valley trails on the west side of the reservoir – is 21 miles, while the longest route which heads up into the hills of Horsetooth and Lory on the west side is about 36 miles with a good bit of climbing. Routes can be altered to find a middle ground between the two distances. Watch for updates on this one and Round Mountain (see below) via the Fort Collins Trail Runner list.

29-30 miles & 10k’ of vert. Good Lord!

A week later, we’ll be meeting at the Round Mountain trailhead for a run on the infamous “Round Mountain Ladder,” a 30 mile, 10,000 foot jaunt up and down Round Mountain just west of Loveland. Although it’s only 4.5 miles to the summit, we squeeze 30 miles out of the mountain by out-and-backing from each of the mile markers along the way, with a final summit at the end. The group dynamic of this workout is invaluable in getting the work done. Shorter versions of the workout include: out and backs to mile 1, mile 3, and the summit; or 2, 4, summit; double summit; single summit, etc. This one is scheduled for 6:30am from the Round Mountain trailhead on Saturday March 29.

The training runs are open to all abilities and regardless of whether or not you are signed up for Quad Rock in May. We hope to see you at one or all of them.